Bank Card Bonus

When HSBC changed the terms of my checking account after over 10 years and started charging fees they didn't charge before, I looked for a new bank. I found one in Capital One where I'm actually accruing points for banking as normal. The best part though is my new debit card!!

Bring Home Some Peaches

This sweet face was dropped at a doorstep of a known animal hoarder in Brooklyn. The hoarder would keep her (that's what hoarders do!), but luckily she has some concerned neighbors that are looking for a good home for Peaches. Can you give her a home? If you can, please email here.

The Poop on Poop Bags

I've been thinking about poop bags lately.

The topic has been on my mind because I bought a pack of PoopEase bags recently... and they are the WORST. I bought them in part because they said they are biodegradable. More like just plain degradable. They literally fall apart before you even use them. Every time I touch them I end up with tiny black and silver plastic bits all over my hands that only come off to attach themselves to my legs, face & neck. Even worse, those bits came from somewhere so when I try to use them they are more hole than bag!

Lesson learned, I will never buy these bags again. I don't even usually buy specially made poop bags. Normally, I re-purpose grocery bags. Usually we have so many that it's not a problem, but we do occasionally run out (when Hank poops more than I shop).

What poop bags do you use?

A Blog for Dog Nerds Everywhere

My good friend (and fellow agility student), Kirby, has a new blog geared for people who love dogs and dog training: Dog.Nerd.101. If that describes you, I highly recommend you follow her blog!

Kirby is an avid dog agility participant with her super sweet Bichon Frise, Sophia. She is also a psychologist and student of learning theory and behavior analysis.

Her most exciting news of the moment, however, is her new puppy Irhaberkí Gandálf Gríffmadár aka "Griff." He is a Mudi that she imported from Hungary. Never heard of a Mudi? They are a rare breed here in the states and used as herding dogs in Hungary. The only other Mudis I've met belong to my agility instructors and those are two cute, sweet, agility superstar dogs.

Kirby worked really hard to get Griff and I'm looking forward to hearing all about their adventures together. So, follow along with me and read all about Kirby, Sophia and baby Griff!

Hank vs. The Heat

With the extreme heatwave we've had recently, exercising Hank has been an extra challenge. It's been too hot to do much of anything outside but I still have to keep the big man busy.

There are a handful of dog toys out there that involve ice to keep cool. We have a Chilly Bone, but it doesn't keep Hank busy very long and then he tries to destroy it. And we don't have a Kool Dogz because it's secured by sticking it into the ground and we don't have a yard. So, I filled a mixing bowl with treats and water and put it in the freezer overnight.

This is a great and easy way to keep your dog cool and occupied in this heat. It does make a mess of your floors though, so do this outside or be prepared to mop!

Pier 6 Dog Run Review

Work has been steadily progressing on the Brooklyn Bridge Park for a long time, and now parts of it are actually open. In addition to all it has to offer for families, kids, bikers and sunbathers, there is also a new dog run in the borough of Brooklyn. At the very end of Atlantic Avenue, the Pier 6 Dog Run is open for business!

I am always excited to have a new space to play with dogs. This run is so new (and clean) that the few times I've been there, I've had the whole place to myself. Since I was working with a client's dog at those times it was fantastic, like my own personal training ring. It's circular and there's some seating around the circle so I almost felt like a lion tamer, except my lion was a super sweet Cockapoo. I'm sure that solitude in the park won't last long as word gets out that it's open.

Though I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, there are a couple of major flaws with this dog run. First, there are no garbage cans. That's a big problem because dogs poop in the dog run. The nearest garbage is outside the run, so that means that you're either leashing up your dog to go out to throw out poo, leaving your dog in the run unattended while you throw out poo or holding on to poo until you're ready to leave.

Second, there's zero shade. I wouldn't even consider going there on a day like today because on a 100 degree day, the lack of shade and the additional heat coming off of the BQE overpass would make the run unbearable for people and dog alike.

Like I said, I don't want to complain because I absolutely appreciate all our local dog runs, but I am keeping my hopes up that construction is not 100% complete and that these issues will be addressed.

Once the weather cools, this will be a terrific playground for Brooklyn dogs!